Hosiery



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Patented Sept. 25, 1951 UNITE S TATE S AT'ENT OF F ICE HOSIERY Alfred'E.Ischinger, Reading; Pa.

Application-.May 2, 1950., Serial No. 1595535 7 Claims. 1.

This. invention relates to hosiery and more particularly tofull-fashionedor other type of hosiery having a noticeable median lineextending lengthwise at. the rear thereof which is formed by a seamstructure, or a mockseam, or by someother means.

Considerable difilculty has heretofore been ex.- perienced by the ladiesin connection with the straight linepositioningof the rear seams offulliashioned stockings; due to. the exertion and in,- convenience,involved in viewing this seam while applying the stockings to, the legs.Then too, when. the rear seam becomes accidentally or otherwise.distorted from its initial straight line position, it. presents anunflattering, or unsightly appearance, a condition which the ladies areanxious to-avoid. Furthermore, when this condition doesv exist; it isnot easily detected by the wearer of the stockings, since the rear seamsthereof are so located that they cannot bereadily seen during the normalactivities of the wearer.

One object of my invention is to provide novel hosiery which overcomesthe indicated. and other difficulties and troublesome conditionsheretofore experienced by the wearer of hosiery or stockings havinganoticeable median line. extending lengthwise attherear thereof.-

Another object is to provide. such a. stocking having means forming alengthwise extending, clearly visible front median line arrangement of acertain length, which is located in overlying correspondence with saidrear median line, so that said front line arrangement functions asreadily adjustable indicator means for attaining quick and easypositioning of the rear median line relative to the leg of the wearer.

A further object is to provide such a stocking having a front medianline arrangement that not only performs said special function; but whichalso serves to enhance the appearance of the stocking and produces a legslenderizing, effect when the stocking is in use and seen from thefront.

An additional object is to provide such a stocking having a front.median line arrangement variously embodied therein. For example, bymeans of an extra thread so as to produce a shadow line, or acontrasting color line effect; or by means, of lace loops or stitches toeffect a lace line effect; or by means of a separate strip or band offlexible, elastic or inelastic material, that is secured to the front ofthe stocking surface; or by the surface application of. a suitablepaint-like material or medium.

.It is also an object to provide such a stocking having a frontmedianline arrangement of various ornamental. characteristics. Forexample, the line efiect may be produced by a single line or two closelyspaced lines that extend lengthwise along the front of the stocking,from the, top to the bottom edge thereof or substantially so; or thatextend in intermediate. relation to. certain sections'of the stocking,such as between the welt section and the reinforced toe section thereof;and such line arrangement may be enhanced by design ornamentationslocated at. the ends thereof, or at one or more points, intermediatesuch ends.

Another object is to provide a, novel fullfashioned stocking blankhaving a line effect of the type indicated extendinglengthwise, andcentrally thereof through all, or one or more of its constituentsections so that said line effect will serve the various, purposesmentioned in the completed stocking produced from the blank.

With these and other objects in view, which will become more readilyapparentfrom the following detailed description of the various practicaland illustrative embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings,the invention comprises the novel stocking, stocking blank, hosieryelements, features of construction and arrangement of parts incooperative relationship, as more particularly defined by the heretoappended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure l is a front perspective view of one form of full-fashionedstocking embodying my invention.

Fig. 2. is a. rear perspective view of the stocking shown in Figure 1Fig. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional View, taken substantially asindicated by the arrows. 3.-3 on Figure 1..

Fig. 4 is a face view of one form of full-fashioned stocking blankembodying my invention,

Fig, 5 is a. front perspective view of asecond form of full-fashionedstocking embodyingv my invention.

Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of the stocking shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a pair of stockings, corresponding withthe stocking shown in Figs. 5 and 6', as they appear on the legs of awearer when viewed from above with one-leg crossing the other.

Fig. 8 is a front, perspective view of a, third form of stockingembodying my invention.

Fig. 9 is a front perspective view of a fourth form of stockingembodying my invention.

Fig. is a front perspective view of a fifth form of stocking embodyingmy invention.

Fig. 11 is a front perspective view of a sixth form of stockingembodying my invention.

Fig. 12 is a front perspective view of a seventh form of stockingembodying my invention.

Figs. 13 and 14 are, respectively, front and rear perspective views of afull-fashioned stocking constituting an eighth form of stockingembodying my invention.

Fig. 15 is a front perspective view of a full-fashioned stockingconstituting a ninth form of stocking embodying my invention, and

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the stocking shown in Fig. 15,taken substantially as indicated by the arrows i i-4'6 on Fig. 15. V W

It will be helpful to an understanding of my invention to first brieflyconsider the broader aspects and phases thereof, so that these may bekept in mind when subsequently reading the detailed description of thepractical and illustrative form of my improvements exemplified in thedrawings.

Accordingly, it is pointed out that my invention is herein disclosed asembodied in a knitted, fullfashioned stocking and stocking blank of the'modern conventional type produced, as usual, of

silk, nylon,.or other yarns used for this purpose and made up ofstandard type stitch, or loop formations, such as plain loops, non-runloops, lace stitches, etc., orcombinations of these, as formed by modernhosiery manufacturing practices.

Such a stocking has a rear seam extending lengthwise along the center,through all the constituent parts thereof, 1. e.,,through the weltsection, the leg section and the foot section.

The said seam consequently forms a noticeable median linealong the backof the stocking, which gives rise to the difficulties and troublesomeconditions heretofore indicated, during its application to, andmaintenance on, the leg of the wearer.

One phase of my invention is directed to the elimination of thisdetrimental feature of the prior art full-fashioned hosiery, by theprovision of a novel, visible, median line at the front thereof, whichextends lengthwise in overlying correspondence with the rear seam, sothat the said front median line will function as a convenient indicatormeans for facilitating the straight line positioning of the seam alongthe rear of the hosiery wearers leg.

Another phase of my invention is directed to the provision of such anovel median line at the front of a stocking which produces a legslenderizing effect when the stocking is viewed on the leg of thewearer.

Still another phase of my invention is directed to the provision of sucha novel median line at.

the front of a stocking which serves as an ornamentation that enhancesthe appearance of the stocking.

It will be understood that the leg slenderizing effect, as well as theornamentation eifect produced by my novel median line arrangement at thefront of the stocking, can be utilized to advantage in stockings otherthan full-fashioned stockings, that is, in stockings that do not have arear seam structure, or other means producing a noticeable median lineat the rear thereof.

Referring now to the form of my invention disclosed in Figures 1, 2 and3, the stocking there shown is of the usual, knitted, conventional,fullfashioned type, produced from a shaped knitted stocking blank, suchas depicted by Figure 4:.

7 the front thereof.

Such a stocking comprises a welt part or section I, a leg section 2 anda foot section 3. The foot section 3 may be provided, as usual, with oneor more reinforced portions, such as a heel portion 4, a foot-soleportion 5, and a toe portion 6.

The shaped full-fashioned stocking blank of Figure 4, is formed into astocking as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, by bringing together the sideselvedge edges thereof and uniting the same by a seam i, in usualmanner.

My novel stocking and stocking blank, includes a median line 8, whichextends lengthwise along When the median line 8 is incorporated in afull-fashioned stocking, it is located in direct overlyingcorrespondence with the rear seam 1, or in diametrical oppositionthereto, as indicated in Figure 3.

The line 8 may be formed in various wellknown ways, as by means of anextra yarn knitted into the fabric, so as to'produceashadow-line effect,or by an extra knitted-in yarn or contrasting color to provide a morepronounced contrast between the line and-the adjacent stocking areas.The line 8 may also be formed by means of contrasting stitches, or bymeans of a separate, flexible, elastic, or inelastic line-forming stripof textile or sheet material, that is attached to the stocking fabric insuitable and practical manner, as by stitching, or by adhesivemeans. Theline 8 may also be applied to the surface of the stocking fabric by anembroidering, dyeing, stenciling, or painting process, in the manner ofthe prior art practice followed when applying embroidered, stenciled,dyed, or painted ornaments on textile fabrics.

For purposes of illustration, I have herein shown the line 8 asextending lengthwise of the stocking and stocking blank, from the top tothe bottom thereof. However, it will be understood that the line 8 maybe of a lesser length and may extend, for example, from the Welt l tothe reinforcement portion 6, or substantially so. Furthermore, it is tobe understood that the line 8 may be enhanced by ornamental efiectsadded at one or both ends thereof, or added at one or more pointsintermediate the ends of the line 8. Such variations in length andornamentation are exemplified by Figs. 5 to 16 inclusive of the drawingswhich correspond with the disclosures of my refollows Filing Date Apr.18, 1950. Apr. 18, 1950. Apr. 18, 1950. Apr. 28, 1950. Apr. 28, 1950.Apr. 28, 1950. Apr. 28, 1950. Apr. 28, 1950.

In the drawings, Figs. Etc 16 inclusive exemplify such modifications inline arrangement, or effect, as follows:

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a front median line, like the line 8, thatmay be produced by an extra knitted-in thread of the same color as thestocking fabric so as to provide a shadow-line effect, or of acontrasting color with respect to .the color of the adjacent stockingareas, to thereby provide greater distinctiveness. The line 8? shown inFigs. 5, 6 and 7 extends in lengthwise "interce-scarce.

be incorporated in-a stocking-to perform substantiall'y the samefunction as' the single line 8 shown in Fig. l hereirn In this instance;the T space between the double-line is positioned in overlyingcorrespondence with the rear seam of the stocking. The said double-lineeffect may be produced by knitted-in yarns of the same, or a contrastingcolor, With respect to the color of the adjacent stocking areas, or bylace stitches, etc., as previously explained. The said line extends inlengthwise intermediate relation between the welt and reinforced toeportion of the stock- Fig. 10 illustrates a front median lace line 3produced by lace or other contrasting stitches in usual and well-knownmanner, which line extends lengthwise from the welt to the reinforcedtoe portion of the stocking.

Fig. 11 illustrates a front median line effect 3 comprising a solid linesection embellished by ornamentations at both ends thereof. Such a lineeffect may also be produced by knitted-in yarn, lace stitches, etc., aspreviously explained, and is arranged to extend lengthwise from the weltto the reinforced toe portion of the stocking. Stated in another way,there is provided an indicator structure including a straight linearelement, and an ornamental element at one or both ends thereof.

Fig. 12 illustrates a front median line 8 extending from the welt to thereinforced toe portion of the stocking embellished by ornamentations atone or more locations intermediate the ends of the line. Theornamentations are shown as located directly below the knee, in theankle area and in the instep area. Stated in another way, there isprovided an indicator structure including a straight linear element, andornamental elements located at one or more of the points indicated. Hereagain, the line and the ornamentations may be produced in the variousways previously pointed out.

Figs. 13 and 14 illustrate a full-fashioned stocking having the usualrear seam i which has a zig-zag front median line 8 extending from theWelt to the reinforced toe portion of the stocking. Such a line may alsobe produced in the various ways previously pointed out.

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate a full-fashioned stocking with rear seam 1having a front median line effect extending from the welt to the insteparea, in opposed relation to the seam, and produced by a plain orornamented separate elastic, or inelastic strip, band, ribbon, etc.indicated by the reference character 8 formed of textile or sheetmaterial that is applied to the front surface of the stocking fabric inany practical and suitable known manner, as by stitching, adhesivemeans, etc. This separate-material line or ornamentation effect may alsobe produced by applying to the front outer fabric surface a coating ofsuitable line or ornamentation producing material, such as paint, orsome other similar medium.- Irr'this connection, it should beparticularly noted that this separate-material line or ornamentationeffect"- provides the" additional advantage of keeping the line orornamentation producing means spaced, or insulated, from contact withthe stocking wearers skin, since the stocking fabric is positioned inintermediate relation to said means and the skin when the stocking is inuse. This permits the strip, band, ribbon, etc., to be treated with amedium that should not ordinarily be brought into direct contact withthe skin. Accordingly, such separate-material line or ornamentationproducing means may be employed for carrying out a special, or desirableeffect, by some medium which for one reason or another must be kept fromdirect contact with the skin of the stocking wearers leg.

Modifications From the foregoing, it will be realized by those skilledin the art that the various line or ornamentation effects, orarrangements, along the front of a stocking as herein specificallyindicated, can be carried out in other ways. For example, by knowndyeing processes or by embroidery methods. Figs. 5 to 16 inclusiveconsequently illustrate only some of the many ways in which my stockingimprovements may be embodied and modified within the scope of myinvention.

Furthermore, it is to be particularly noted that an additional noveleffect may be accomplished in conjunction with the incorporation in astocking of such line, or ornamentation effects, or arrangements, by theuse of dyes, or other substances, or material, that produce a gloweffect, or light reflecting effect, or other result, when exposed tonatural, or artificial light.

Also, that the seam aligning and leg slenderizing function of the lineeffects and arrangements herein disclosed, will be substantiallymaintained even though the location of the same is altered somewhat in alateral direction.

Accordingly, the improvements herein specifically shown and describedcan be changed and modified in various ways without departing from theinvention herein disclosed and more particularly defined by the heretoappended claims.

I claim:

1. A stocking of the character described which extends at least to theknee area of the wearer and comprises, a foot section, a leg section,and an indicator structure including a straight linear element and anornamental element, which structure is located in substantially medianplane relation to the front of said stocking and extends downwardly fromsaid stocking knee area at least to the ankle area with the ornamentalelement arranged substantially at the lower end of the linear element.

2. A stocking in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ornamental elementis located at one end of said linear element.

3. A stocking in accordance with claim 1, wherein an additionalornamental element is located at the other end of said linear element.

4. A stocking in' accordance with claim 1, wherein the ornamentalelement is located intermediate the ends of said linear element.

5. A stocking in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ornamental elementis located in the foot area of the stocking.

6. A stocking in accordance with claim 1, wherein an additionalornamental element is 10- cated substantially at the ankle area of thestocking.

7. A stocking in accordance with claim 1, wherein an additionalornamental element is located substantially at the knee area of thestocking.

ALFRED E. ISCHINGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent;

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Zaki Dec. 27, 1927Scarborough Jan. 18, 1938 Mendelsohn Mar. 31, 1942 Donner Jan. 4, 1944Moody et a1. June 3, 1947 Gottschalck May 10, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTSCountry Date Great Britain of 1884 Great Britain Dec. 1, 1932 GreatBritain Apr. 5, 1934 Italy July 19, 1937

